In two weeks, ESPN will be televising the NFL draft for the 35th consecutive year. Back in 1980, the young network ran with the idea of taking this big event in the sports world – which was receiving only spot television coverage at that time – and presenting it to fans on a grand scale.

ESPN’s presentation of the NFL Draft has come a long way since then, when the network cut away during Round 2 for a tractor pull event.

My first NFL draft w/ ESPN, we had to cut out of Round 2 for a tractor pull. Perspective…